WORKERS at Stockton Council have been reacting to the news that they may be asked to undergo controversial random drug and alcohol tests.

The Evening Gazette went out to Stockton’s municipal buildings in Church Road to speak to staff and members of the public about a new substance misuse policy.

The council’s Cabinet approved the controversial policy at a recent meeting, but chose to defer any decision on the application of drug and alcohol testing of employees.

They will instead assess the results of a six-month trial drug-testing scheme for taxi drivers, which is expected to begin shortly after a meeting between the two parties last night.

Alan Fidler, who holds the operator licence for Tees Valley Cabs, said: “We are not opposed to the principle of testing for drugs and we don’t support anyone who misuses drugs and holds a taxi licence.

“But if there are grounds to question the moral fitness of a person to hold licences to drive taxis and hackney cabs, then surely public servants should be subject to similar screening?

“If the council takes a view that a person misusing drugs is not a fit person to hold a taxi licence, then are they fit to hold public office - be they a head of department or a school teacher?”

According to the council, the new policy has been drawn up as a “supportive measure to employees who have a substance misuse problem”.

Sarah Davies, 38, a council accountant from Thornaby, said: “I’m not bothered by it. I don’t drink and I don’t take drugs.

“It’s not really caused a commotion - not in my office anyway.”

Employees are also being told they have a “legal duty” to report any colleagues who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“You want reliable people. You don’t want people making a company look bad.

“If the council found out people were taking drugs, it would be their name that got dragged through the mud.

A Stockton Council spokesman said: “We are still in the process of finalising the implementation of drug-testing for taxi drivers and will be discussing this scheme at a scheduled meeting with representatives from the taxi trade.

“We are committed to promoting a safe working environment and tackling the issue of substance misuse across the wider community.”